Flanked by Jim Brown and other retired players, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced today that the league has settled a lawsuit relating to the use of retired players’ images.
Under the settlement, the NFL will contribute $42 million to a newly established Common Good Fund that will be administered by a group of retired players and used to support retired players who are struggling.
“We see this as a very positive step that will help promote our retired players, our game and will ultimately be very beneficial for our retired players long term,” Goodell said.
Brown said the fund will allow retired players to “reach out and help a lot of our players who really need help.”
The settlement also establishes an independent licensing agency dedicated to the use of retired players’ publicity rights, overseen by a board of retired players.